The Federal Investigation Agency and intelligence agencies have completed their preparations to launch a grand operation against US dollar hoarding a day after the government empowered anti-crime agency to take measures to curb greenback’s smuggling.
The FIA, intelligence agencies and State Bank of Pakistan have widened the scope of investigation and prepared lists of companies and individuals – who according to them are involved in US dollar hoarding, a news channel said.
Sources further claimed that the regulators have acquired two years of data of exchange companies. Lists of individuals, who acquired ‘unusual amount’ of US dollars, have also been prepared, they added.
Moreover, sources added, FIA and intelligence agencies have also started collecting details of owners, including their assets, from banks.
The regulators were briefed that a large number of US dollars were kept in bank lockers, they claimed.
Sources also said that the anti-crime agency will use advanced technology to scan bank lockers to recover US dollars.
A day earlier, the caretaker government empowered FIA to exercise its authority to control the smuggling of sugar, US dollars, Urea and petroleum products in the country.
According to the notification, the government empowered the anti-crime agency to take necessary measures to tackle the prevailing smuggling issue.
The FIA will be able to exercise its authority and take necessary measures at all entry and exit points of foreign currencies.
Furthermore, FIA zonal directors have been instructed to report to the agency’s headquarters on a day-to-day basis via relevant channels.
